The Burger Jerk

Location: SW 4th and Hall
Hours: M-F, 11am-2pm

The Story:

Every so often, you just need a simple burger and fries. There are a few carts that offer some great burgers in Portland, but few offer the additional tasty additions we have come to enjoy. The Burger Jerk, a newcomer to the scene is here to sate that simple joy – a burger with tots.

Baconarian from The Burger Jerk

A good burger for me is usually a 1/3 lb patty with cheddar cheese. If we’re talking gourmet, I usually forgo the lettuce and tomato in order to savor both the meat and the bun choices the chef has made for me.  At The Burger Jerk, they keep it simple with a good sesame seed bun toasted, a grilled all beef patty, a large slice of tomato, a chunk of onion, some leaf lettuce and condiments. As honest a burger as you can get – like mom used to make. Add in some fresh tater tots and you have yourself a great little meal. For $5, you can’t go wrong. When I took the first bite mixing the cool tomato and onion with the warm burger, I couldn’t help remembering when McDonald’s tried the “cool side cool and the hot side hot” campaign. Uh oh, I may be dating myself.

The new burger cart took over the Thai cart that made its home on the corner of SW 4th and College for many years. The new owners have completely repainted it and installed a large awning so you can enjoy your burger out of the rain. With additional topping choices which could include bacon, a fried egg, turkey, avocado, mushrooms or peppers, you can build a pretty delectable sandwich. They offer Boca burgers for those vegetarians in line. Check out the newest burger cart on the block and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

All burgers are 1/3lb patties served with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions and sauce with fries or tater tots

• The Jerk – basic hamburger – $5
• The Big Cheese – $5.50
• The Baconarian – bacon cheeseburger – $6
• The Shroomin’ Swiss – mushrooms and Swiss cheese – $6
• El Hedor Grande – blue cheese crumbles, bacon, dressing – $6.50
• The Fat Ass Jerk – bacon, egg, cheese – $7
• Alternaburger – boca burger – $6

Hours: Monday-Friday, 11am-2pm
Contact: unknown

Snow White House Crepes

Location: SW 10th and Alder
Hours: Daily, 12-11pm

The Story:

A venerable old cart, Snow White House has been serving Portland crepes and sandwiches for over 13 years. Even before the current owners took it over back in the 90′s, it was acting as a food cart downtown. Talk about the stories that cart may hold.

Snow White House Crepes is the work of Abby Tian who bought the cart oh so many years ago with the idea that people love crepes and she needs to cook for them. The cart was originally across from the Guild Theater where Directors Park now sits, but moved to SW 10th and Alder about 8 years ago to a spot where there were only two other carts. That area now is overflowing with some of Portland’s best street food. A wise choice Abby.

Tuna Crepe from Snow White House

Snow White House’s menu is huge. Three pages filled with crepes, sandwiches and other on the spot prepared foods. In addition to that, you can get chips, pop, candy and maybe even trinkets. They have it all. Sandwiches choices run the gamet with turkey, chicken breast, ham – you name it, she’s got it with all the fixin’s. Though, I don’t think sandwiches are the focus here being the cart’s name has crepes in it. Just choosing from the list of thirteen crepe offerings makes one dizzy with delight. They can make the crepe either traditional or with buckwheat flour and choices range from Swedish meatball to spinach and cheese to chocolate and fresh fruit or lemon curd. The tuna crepe I enjoyed was humongous – tuna, Tillamook cheddar, pepper jack, cream cheese, spinach, tomato, eggs, celery, onions, parsley, mayo, salt and pepper. A giant of a crepe. As I watched her layer on the ingredients, I began to wonder if she would get it closed. There was a lot of cheese in that crepe, but the other ingredients balanced it out for an enjoyable, albeit filling meal.

Snow White House Crepes is an example of tenacity and drive. Recently in an interview with OPB, Abby stated she works every day for 12 hours in addition to running a restaurant. She believes her customers come to see her and her crepes. Well done lady. You can find Snow White House at SW 10th and Alder. When you visit, let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Ham or turkey and cheese: ham or turkey, Mozzarella, romaine lettuce, tomato, parsley, salt, pepper, mayo and mustard – $4.99
• Swedish Meatball: sliced meatball, Mozzarella, Parmesan, spinach, onion, olive, parsley, salt and pepper – $6.50
• Tuna: see description above – $6.50
• Spinach and Cheese: spinach, tomato, Mozzarella, feta, parsley, pesto, salt, pepper – $4.99
• Fresh fruit and homemade custard: fresh strawberries and banana with custard and banana – $5
• Chocolate and fresh fruit: Nutella, strawberries, bananas with roasted sliced almonds – $5

Hours: Daily, including weekends, 12-11pm
Contact: unknown

According to the Twittersphere, A la Carts, a new pod on SE 50th and Division has confirmed ten carts to be landed by September 1. One fave I wish was in my neighborhood is Van Schnitzels. I understand the pod will be a breakfast to dinner type setup. They are still looking for a dessert cart I understand. Enjoy.
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Dreamer’s Marketplace is now doing bi-weekly happy hour with the carts. They have beer and wine for sale and the carts offer up samplings while you enjoy some live music. We’ve profiled Wet Hot Beef and Pepper Box, but there are a few others there including Southwestern Pizza, Patty’s Wagon, PB Comfort Food, Angel’s Cabana and Olympic Hot Dogs. More to open soon. Happy Hour occurs every Wednesday and Friday from 4pm-8pm. NE MLK and Graham.
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Crystal Gardens, a new pod in St. Johns is now open. On the corner of N Lombard and Richmond, the pod features Savvy J’s, fresh from their great segment on Food Carts Revolution this past Sunday on Cooking Channel. Savvy J’s makes a great catfish po’boy. There are a few others open and they are expanding.
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With all the openings, we should point out some sad closings. Parkers Waffles on SW 4th and Hall has closed up the cart. They still do have the waffle window on Alberta where you can get your waffle fix.
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Portland Monthly has dedicated their September issue to food carts. And why not? They are the talk of the town. The editors highlighted the pods and the carts and even the upcoming book – Cartopia: Portland’s FoodCart Revolution. I haven’t been able to pick up a hard copy, only subscribers have that at this point, but from reading the articles on the web, they did a great job. Missed some of my faves, but overall, great coverage.
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BING!, the search engine from Microsoft, partnered with Portland Monthly and some other locals to create a dynamic and robust map of all the food carts. Portland was chosen as a launch site for BING!’s map with features including Twitter and Foursquare. You can find the map here. Look for more news on the map in the coming weeks.
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Last Saturday evening, I had the pleasure of being on Live Wire Radio and sharing the stage with Gregg Abbot from Whiffies, Menomena and Reggie Watts. The show was amazing and our segment about the carts ended up so awesome, I can’t wait to hear it on the radio. Thank you Courtenay Hameister and crew for having us. Live Wire Radio will are on Saturday night at 7pm on OPB. There are warm pies and sexual innuendo involved in the show. Cheers!
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For those of you who made it to the end of this post, you get a surprise. 3 Leg Torso, a great Portland band with an eclectic flair is doing an impromptu show at Pbong’s Bowl, a relaunched Thai food cart at 2034 N Killingsworth. It happens tonight, Thursday, so head north for some great food and some great music.

Happy Carting

Location:

The Story:

Portland loves Thai food. That is apparent with Thai restaurants and food carts available in most every neighborhood in the city. Lately though, we’ve been introduced to a new approach to the cuisine – Northern Thai. SE Portland now gets to enjoy what downtown has raved about for the last few months. Yum Zap is in town.

Yum Zap means “spicy dish” in Thai and when I ordered medium, the woman chuckled and asked “American medium or Thai medium.” I’m glad she asked because I like it Thai spicy. Burn my taste buds please. I have become familiar with some of the dishes, marveling at the complex flavors and loving that what I thought was a style of food I had begun to be bored with could still surprise me. The Kao Soy Huang is a vegetarian northern style pan fried noodle dish with fresh mushrooms, shallots, pickled cabbage and textured soy protein (TVP.) Don’t be scared by TVP, it looks, feels and tastes similar to chicken and sometimes surprises vegetarians who question whether the dish is safe or not. The noodles are thin and soak up a ton of flavor along with a bit of caramelization from the pan frying. The dish was hearty, full of flavor and just spicy enough to keep you going back for more.

Yum Zap has created quite a buzz at Good Food Here and I understand why. They have a simple menu with few items which allows them to focus on how to do the dishes right. Head on down, enjoy a “spicy dish” and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Kao Khlook Kapi: Kao Khlook Kapi rice, sweet pork, fried egg, sliced green apple, shallots, cucumbers, chili and lime; served with soup – $7.50
• Kao Soy Huang: northern style pan fried noodles, fresh mushrooms, textured vegetable protein, shallots and pickled cabbage – $7.50
• Kao Yum: spicy salad of dried shrimp, Basmati rice, fruit, herbs, veggies, sprouts, and special sauce – $7.50
• Gai Dern Soo-un: spicy grilled chicken salad with herbs, veggies, ground roasted rice, dried chili sauce and a side of sticky rice – $7.50

Hours: Lunch daily – 11:30; Dinner – 5pm
Contact: unknown

Location:

The Story:

Every so often you want some simple well made Mexican food. Las Loncheritas, now relocated to the Good Food Here pod sates that need for a cheap well made taco or burrito.

Las Loncheritas isn’t just inexpensive, they offer a broad menu of items for both meat eaters and vegetarians. Meat options include carnitas, asada, pollo, and pastor. Veggie options include tofu and the obvious rice, beans or grilled veggies. In addition to tacos and burritos, they offer quesadillas, tostadas, fajitas, enchiladas, and torta sandwiches. I asked if they made their own tortillas for the tacos since I saw a packages of masa flour. They don’t, yet they do make the sopes and huaraches with fresh handformed masa cakes. I think I’ll need to try that next time I visit.

As usual, I ordered some tacos. I feel the simplest item on the menu will tell me whether their other items are worth a return trip. I shared the carnitas, asada and pollo tacos with my roommate who later texted me – “those were 5 star tacos!” I agree. They were flavorful with just the right amount of meat, finely chopped onions and cilantro. At $1.50 per taco, a great deal.

Las Loncheritas matches Creme de la Creme as the two truly mobile kitchens that anchor the corner of Good Food Here. I hope they do some sort of French/Mexican fusion one day. Hmm, what would that be…a brie and jambon quesadilla? If you are down that way, drop on by and say hola to Las Loncheritas and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Tacos: asada, pastor, pollo or carnitas – $1.50
• Burrito: choice of meat with beans and rice – $4.75
• Sopes: hand made puffed masa tortilla with choice of meat – $2.75
• Mulitas: layer of corn tortilla filled with cheese and choice of meat sprinkled with onion and cilantro – $2.50
• Soyrizo Burrito: flour tortilla stuffed with soyrizo, pepper and onions, beans and rice and cilantro – $5.75
• Quesadilla – $2.75-$3.75

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11:30am-9pm

Location:

The Story:

If visiting a cart where the individual serving you was wearing a kilt and had a strong brogue accent, wouldn’t you think it is pretty darn authentic? That was how we discovered a brand new cart – Celtic Foods.

Sausage Rolls with HP sauce

Donavon and Mike are the two gentlemen behind this great new cart serving traditional Celtic fare. Donovan, wearing a kilt, a sporran (traditional “purse” worn with a kilt,) and a Glengarry cap, was everything I would picture from someone serving up a Scotch Egg. The menu at Celtic Foods is broad, offering breakfast and lunch items all for under $4. One item, the Cornish pasty has a strong history in the British Isles. Donovan told us that the pasty, a beef and vegetable filled pastry, was designed with the harder crust edges so the miners could eat it with their blackened hands. They would devour everything but that hard edge which would be discarded, blackened by the coal dust. Way to think green guys!

Steak and Guinness Pie

Celtic food served here is a rich mixture of steak, sausage, vegetables and puff pastry. Pot pies, pasties, sausage rolls and assorted salads make up a diverse and full flavored menu. The steak and Guinness pie reminded me of the pot pies we use to eat as snacks when I was younger, but with broader flavors. Made with steak and mushrooms in a rich beef gravy made with Guiness beer, this dish will become a Portland fave once the weather starts to cool. The sausage rolls were exactly what you would think, Irish “Limerick” sausage wrapped in puff pastry. Dip them in a bit of HP sauce and you have a great little snack.

Celtic Food is now open in the ever expanding 3rd Ave lot off SW Stark. They open for breakfast at 7am serving sausage and eggs on a roll or Irish bacon and eggs on a roll. You can even get the famous Scotch Egg. Venture down that way and give Donovan and Mike a holler and welcome them to the food cart scene. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

Breakfast served 7am-11am

• Scottish sausage and eggs on a roll – $4
• Irish bacon and eggs on a roll – $4
• Vegan sausage and eggs on a roll – $4
• add cheese – $.50

Lunch served 11am-5pm

• Cornish Pasty: combination of steak and vegetables in puff pastry – $4
• Chicken Dijon pot pie: chunks of chicken breast and mushroom in a creamy white wine sauce – $4
• Steak and Guiness pie: steak and mushrooms in a rich beef gravy with Guinness – $4
• Vegetable Pie: eggplant, zucchini, tomato and red peppers in a pastry shell topped with cheese – $4
• Cheese and Onion pastry: cheese, onion and potatoes wrapped in a puff pastry – $4
• 2 Manx Bangers with grilled onions – $4
• Scotch Egg – hard boiled egg wrapped in a coating of sausage rolled in breadcrumbs and deep fried – $3
• 2 sausage rolls: Irish Limerick sausage meat wrapped in puff pastry – $4

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7am-5pm
Phone: 503 869 7559

Food Carts are all the rage for events this summer including weddings. We get at least 3 inquiries a week from a bride who really wants poutine for her reception. Oregon Bride magazine even has a article about us. If you are looking for a cart for an event, hit up our Cater page. It lists carts that do events and/or cater. If you are a cart and would like to be added, drop us a note.
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Yogio, that cute wonderful Korean cart at North Station, has debuted their Korean Frito Pie. Spicy BBQ pork, caramelized kimchee slaw and pickled veggies. Wow. Not sure if that is all placed upon some Fritos, but those items all together already made me drool. Yogio is located at N Greeley and Killingsworth.
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Fried Chicken from The Swamp Shack

The Swamp Shack announced today that on Friday they will have fried alligator. Wow! You don’t find that everyday. I have to say, their fried chicken is amazing and some of the best I have ever had. Swamp Shack is located at SW 5th and Stark.
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There are three new pods that have launched or are launching soon. A la carts food pavilion, located at SE 50th and Division, is looking for carts and is ready for them. Lombard Pointe, located at NE MLK and Lombard has been open for a month or so now with some cart yet is looking for more. Truck Yeah is there. A2, located at NE 23rd and Alberta, kitty corner from Area23, is launching soon and is actively looking for carts. If you are a cart owner, check out each pod’s ad to the right and clicky clicky.
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Speaking of A la Carts, Van Schnitzels announced that they will be moving to that lot. Watch for a revamped menu when they open in the next few weeks.
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A new pod at E Burnside at 7th poached some great carts from another location – Slow & Low and Porridge. They have also added Volkswaffle, a Volkswagon Vanagon converted to serve up waffles. Another twist on cart infrastructure. A great spot to take advantage of LoBu.
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Portland’s Food Carts will be profiled on the Cooking Channel’s Food Truck Revolution will air on Sunday on the Cooking Channel. So excited to see that the carts are getting so much love on the air. Well done you all! We’re proud of you.
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Food Carts will be the topic of the day on OPB’s Think Out Loud Friday morning. You can hear it live from Mississippi Marketplace as the hosts interview food cart owners and others involved in the food cart scene – including us. Show begins at 9 and you can submit questions and even call in if you like. More information at OPB.org.

Whew! Happy Carting.

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The Story:

Take a moped, one of those older ones that you can pedal, replace the front with a two wheeled storage chest and you have Treat Machine, a cart focusing on what’s simple – the taco.

The Treat Machine was built and is pedaled daily by Andrew who wanted to open a food cart with the smallest footprint possible. The modified trike with the two wheeled axle in the front is designed like a puzzle in order to fit all the needed items to run a food cart in the storage chest. This includes the propane tank, a water tank, the grill, utensils, and the food. Andrew joked he was glad Fred Meyer had liberal return policies when he built everything. He rides the Treat Machine daily, usually pedaling, unpacks and sets up for lunch. A great little gig.

Andrew specializes in vegan tacos with handmade masa tortillas, black beans, tomato, cilantro and red onion. Primary ingredients offered are avocado, mango, yam or plantain. Toss in the homemade chipotle garlic or ancho chili sauce and you have yourself a great little taco. I chose to get an avocado and a yam taco. Little chunks of yam were grilled along with the fresh tortilla. Mix all this together for a great lunch. The flavors of the fresh veggies and the cilantro and spicy sauces were just spectacular.

Treat Machine is a great concept – keep it simple and do right by the environment. Andrew is on to something there. I understand another machine is on the way, so keep your eyes peeled.  Drop on down to Treat Machine and enjoy one of his great little tacos and let him know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Tacos come with black beans, tomato, cilantro and red onion and are served on a corn tortilla.
• Choose from avocado, yam, plantain or mango – $2 per taco or 3 for $6
• assorted drinks available

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 12-8pm
Website: TreatMachine
Facebook: TreatMachine

On Saturday, Portland celebrates the 2nd annual Baconfest. You thought bacon had gone out of style last year, but I assure you, it is still more popular than ham. Portland Baconfest 2010 is sponsored by PDX.FM and will bring together two dozen NW vendors with bacon related products, music and beer. They will even be tasting the wildly popular Bacon Vodka. Mobster Meatballs will be in attendance along with a super secret food cart I don’t even know about. In 2009, Baconfest attracted 2500 people and collected 900lbs of canned goods for the Oregon Food Bank. 2010 will be even larger. Portland Baconfest 2010 happens Saturday, August 21 from 12-8pm in the lot next to East Burn at 1800 East Burnside. More information on the schedule and list of vendors at PortlandBaconFest.com

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Live Wire Radio with Portland food carts happens Saturday evening at Gerdling Theater at the Armory. Join Gregg Abbott from Whiffies fried pies and I as we discuss the food cart scene with the wonderful hosts of the show. The show also features Reggie Watts, Dayna Hanson, and musical guests 3 Leg Torso and Menemona. It is going to be a wonderful evening. I’m so excited. More information, including tickets can be found at LiveWireRadio.com.

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Back in May or June, Cooking Channel (Food Network spinnoff,) was in town for a week on a whirlwind tour of our carts for a new show – Food(ography.) The episode on Street Food featuring BrunchBox and Lisa Wood from Big-Ass Sandwiches aired on Sunday evening and will re-air tonight, Tuesday at 7pm on the Cooking Channel. Or, if you want, you can watch it online. A friend of Big Ass Sandwiches posted a link. Well done guys.

Happy Carting!

Location:

The Story:

Take a walk between the buildings just east of SW 4th avenue – there is a nice tree-lined path there and it is spectacularly quiet even around lunchtime. Tucked in the back corner of a lot at SW 4th and Harrison next to the CYAN building is Bayou Fixin’s, a cart focused on Cajun cuisine. Mix the two and you have a solid lunch experience.

Kerry Gardner opened Bayou Fixin’s in July with family recipes in mind. She and her boyfriend both love spicy food and meeting people and a food cart was the way to bring those two together. The recipes used have been handed down and refined over the years through their families – ergo the names like Aunt Dot’s Etouffee. They even plan a crawfish boil in the future. If you have never tried one, it is a wonderful experience.

The menu at Bayou Fixin’s is straight forward Cajun with gumbo, etouffee, jambalaya, shrimp and rice or spicy ‘smack ‘n cheese.’ I opted for Kerry’s smack ‘n cheese since I’m a sucker for anything cheese, noodly and spicy. Seriously, take peppers, pasta and cheese, throw it together, and I’ll eat it. Promise. The baked dish was great with just the right creaminess from the cheese. Kerry mixes in spicy sausage and the baking creates that wonderful crunchy top we love. The dish came with cole slaw and was a pretty good size portion for $5.

If you have already visited all the carts at SW 4th ave by PSU, head north a couple of blocks and check out Bayou Fixin’s. Take your lunch, find a quiet bench and enjoy. Try the cornbread and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Gumbo:  authentic Cajun gumbo made with chicken and andouille sausage – $6
• Anut Dog’s Etouffee: white cream sauce with seafood served over rice – $5
• Terry’s Jambalaya: spicy rice dish with shrimp, extra lean beef and andouille sausage – $6
• Kerry’s Smack ‘n Cheese: spicy mac ‘n cheese with sausage served with slaw-  $5
• Seasoned Cajun shrimp over rice – $6
• Corn bread – $2
• Red Beans and rice – $3

Hours: Monday-Friday, 11am-3pm
Phone: 503 789 2811